Why was Calvin Pryor benched on Jets' defense?

Did Calvin Pryor's tardiness help pave the way for Jaiquawn Jarrett's banner day?

A source said Pryor, the Jets' first-round draft pick, was late to a meeting last week, as well as to smaller things such as weight-room lifts and weight checks. On Sunday, he stood on the sideline and watched as Jarrett started at safety, and shined, against the Steelers.

But even though Rex Ryan hinted in his postgame news conference that Pryor had missed a meeting, he refused to confirm Monday whether Pryor has an issue with lateness.

"What happens in our team meetings, I'm just going to leave there," Ryan said. "But the reason he didn't start was Jaiquawn Jarrett. That's the reason."

On Sunday, however, Ryan delivered this thinly veiled shot at Pryor when asked why Jarrett received so much playing time: "We were trying to line up guys that we think deserve it, whether it's in the classroom, on the practice field, or in meetings, being on time for meetings."

Pryor played 13 special-teams snaps against the Steelers but none on defense. Jarrett made the most of his opportunity. He played all 64 defensive snaps in the Jets' 20-13 win, intercepting Ben Roethlisberger twice, recovering a fumble and making a sack. In one day, he matched the team's takeaway total in the first nine games. It was the first three-takeaway game for a Jet since 2006 (Ty Law).

Jarrett, a Brooklyn native and Temple product, was a second-round pick of the Eagles in 2012. But by that September he was deemed a bust, was released and became one of the last players general manager Mike Tannenbaum signed before being fired.

After his performance Sunday, Ryan said, "It's going to be hard to keep him out of that starting lineup." He also believes Jarrett is the clear favorite for AFC defensive player of the week.

"It's hard for me to fathom somebody had a better game than he did," he said.

Despite his praise for Jarrett, Ryan stressed he still has "a lot of faith" in Pryor. "I think this kid is going to be an outstanding player," Ryan said of the 18th overall pick, whom he likened to former Raiders star Jack Tatum shortly after the draft.

Reminded that Geno Smith started Oct. 5 against the Chargers despite missing a 10-minute team meeting the night before, Ryan said: "Things happen. There's no question. But Jaiquawn Jarrett is the reason why Calvin didn't start. Jaiquawn Jarrett has done a tremendous job. Even on Sundays prior to this, he's done a good job for us.

"You can judge it and look at the tape yourself, and do the right thing and play guys that earn it. Or you can ignore it. I'm trying to play the very best guys that I possibly can play."